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Defect of the Ventricular Septum in Dogs

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Ventricular Septal Defect in Dogs

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) causes irregular communication in the ventricular septum, the wall that separates the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart) from one another. This results in blood being diverted, or shunted, from one side of the heart to the other. The direction and volume of the shunt are determined by the size of the defect, the relationship of the pulmonary and systemic blood vessel resistances, and the presence of other anomalies.

Most VSDs in small animals are subaortic (below the aortic valve) and have a right ventricular hole that is beneath the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve. In addition, most VSDs in dogs are small and therefore restrictive (i.e., the difference between left and right ventricular pressures is maintained). Moderate-sized VSDs are only partially restrictive and result in various degrees of high blood pressure in the right ventricle. Large VSDs, meanwhile, have an area that is as large as or larger than the open aortic valve in the left ventricle. They are nonrestrictive, and right ventricular pressure is the same as the body’s blood pressure. Only moderate and large defects impose a pressure load upon the right ventricle.

Symptoms and Types

Pale gums (only if pulmonary hypertension causes a right to left shunt)

Increased rate of heart beat

Causes

The underlying cause for ventricular septic defects are unknown, though a genetic basis is suspected.

Diagnosis

You will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your dog's health and onset of symptoms. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your pet, with a complete blood profile, chemical blood profile, complete blood count, urinalysis and an electrolyte panel to rule out other concurrent diseases.

Imaging techniques like thoracic X-rays may help to detect larger VSDs, which would cause a left (or even a generalized) enlarged heart from the increased flow of blood through the heart. High blood pressure in the lungs, chronic heart failure and right to left shunts may be visualized as well.

A two-dimensional echocardiographic study, which uses sonographic imaging to view the activity of the heart, may demonstrate heart enlargement. The right heart will also be enlarged if the defect is moderate-sized or large, or if there are other heart abnormalities in addition to VSD.

systemic

Something that is related to the whole body and not just one particular part or organ

septum

A wall or partition that is designed to divide and separate

thoracic

Pertaining to the chest

urinalysis

An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness

ventricle

a) A cavity in certain animals b) Term refers to a rear chamber in the heart or a cavity in the brain

pulmonary

Pertaining to the lungs

palliative

Something that relieves a condition’s symptoms without curing the condition

asymptomatic

Term used to refer to a condition of having a disease or affliction but not displaying symptoms of it.

banding

a) In equine terms, a method of styling a mane into sections with rubber bands b) Marking an animal (e.g. a bird) by fastening a band to a part of their body. c) A method used to castrate animals in which a rubber band is placed on the scrotum, causing the testicles to atrophy.